L. Frank Baum

“ You see, I'm not sure whether I'll have a sudden seizure or the pains will come on gradually."
"What pains?" demanded Patsy.
"I can't explain them. Don't you believe something is bound to happen?" he inquired, nervously removing the ash from his cigar.
"To be sure. You're going to get well."
He made no reply, but sat watching Beth's nimble fingers. Patsy was too excited to resume her embroidery.
"I wonder if you are old enough to smoke?" remarked Beth. ”

“ Next morning Uncle John and the Weldons—including the precious baby—went for a ride into the mountains, while Beth and Patsy took their embroidery into a sunny corner of the hotel lobby.
It was nearly ten o'clock when A. Jones discovered the two girls and came tottering toward them. Tottering is the right word ”

“ Do you realize what it is? You're a hypo—hypo—what do they call it?—hypochondriac!"
"I am not!"
"And your doctor—your famous specialist—is a fool."
"Oh, Miss Doyle!"
"Also you are a—a chump, to follow his fool advice. You don't need sympathy, Mr. A. Jones. What you need is a slapstick."
"A—a—"
"A slapstick. And that's what you're going to get if you don't obey orders."
Here the maid set down the breakfast, ranging the dishes invitingly before the invalid. ”